Nurturing the next generation of K'ho folk art

The folk performing arts of the K'ho people in Binh Thuan are passed down from generation to generation mainly by word of mouth and community practice. Therefore, the task of igniting the passion and nurturing the next generation to be creative is what the Provincial Museum is doing, especially when these cultural values are gradually being overwhelmed by many modern forms of entertainment...

dan-vu-k.ho.jpg — Folk dances of the K'ho people.

Art forms associated with beliefs

In the historical process of existence and development, like other ethnic groups in the province, the K'ho ethnic group has produced many types of folk performing arts to serve the life, religious activities, rituals, and festivals of the community, clan, and family, including folk songs, folk music, and folk dance. These art forms are considered as a means and a bridge between people and people, between people and gods, creating a relationship that connects the community and is constantly created and cultivated through each generation to create a unique cultural identity.

story-k.ho..jpg — Folk performing art forms serve life and religious activities.

According to the stories of artisans in Dong Giang, La Da (Ham Thuan Bac): In the new rice offering ceremony of the ethnic group, there is a song called "Cung lua moi" with a slow rhythm, carrying spiritual elements. When the rituals end, the K'ho people often perform folk dance movements to thank the gods. In community activities, family and clan celebrations during Tet, weddings, engagements and production work, they sing the melodies "To tinh", "O me loi", "Doi dap"... to instruct, teach, and advise their children to do good things; talk about the difficult life in the past and other daily issues. In the past, the musical instruments of the K'ho people were very rich, but now only gongs, cymbals, Sagơr drums, gourd trumpets, and rattles remain. These instruments are often performed with melodies in family and clan ceremonies and festivals and happy days of the community.

story-of-the-unknown.11.jpg — Artisans and connoisseurs enthusiastically teach the younger generation

Teaching

Folk art is both a means of conveying elements of folk culture, a direct agent in spiritual and social life, and an artistic product reflecting the spirit of labor and emotions, a source of nourishment for the human soul, with a strong vitality passed down through many generations in the history of each nation. Its nature is a type of intangible cultural heritage that needs to be researched, preserved and developed. However, over time, due to changes in living conditions, production methods, the process of contact and exchange between ethnic groups and the lack of proper attention in preserving and passing on between generations of artisans, ancestors to the next generation, many folk songs, dances and music of the K'ho people have been forgotten and gradually lost over time.

story-k.ho.1.jpg — Musical instruments of the K'ho people today only remain gongs, Sagor drums, gourd trumpets, and rattles.

Mr. K' Van Ven - Vice Chairman of Dong Giang Commune People's Committee shared: Although the K'ho people still preserve their folk songs, dances and music, the number of people who know how to sing, dance and use traditional musical instruments is increasingly scarce, especially the young generation today knows little or does not know how to perform. Therefore, the Provincial Museum's support in opening teaching classes will contribute to raising awareness and responsibility of artisans as well as learners in preserving and transmitting.

With their dedication and efforts to preserve and conserve intangible culture to pass on to future generations the soul of the nation, when invited to teach, Mr. K'Van Phiep, Huynh Van Dep, K' Van Bun, and Mrs. K' Thi Hau (Dong Giang commune) were all very enthusiastic. Because they believe that from now on, the unique cultural features of the nation will be passed down in the community, no longer afraid of being lost.

As for young students like Ms. K' Thi Diem, K' Thi Huyen, Mr. K' Van Tin... they feel proud and understand more about their national culture. With the current trend of popular modern music genres, the lessons that the artists teach help them to be more aware of their responsibility in preserving and promoting to friends, relatives and the community to join hands to preserve and promote traditional cultural values.

Seeing the enthusiasm of both teachers and students during the opening days of the class, Mr. Tran Xuan Phong - Deputy Director of Binh Thuan Provincial Museum expressed: The project "Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development" under the National Target Program on socio -economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the period 2021-2030, implemented in the province has great significance. Preserving and promoting the values of folk performing arts of the K'ho ethnic group will enrich the local culture, enhance the ability to practice traditional culture of the ethnic community, and also contribute to promoting and introducing the land and people of Binh Thuan to friends and tourists.

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